New Delhi, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Years of perseverance and consistent domestic performances have finally earned Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad. The 33-year-old has been named as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, marking a significant milestone in a career built on patience and persistence.
A right-arm off-spinner and left-handed batter, Jain has been rewarded after establishing himself as one of India’s most dependable red-ball all-rounders. His selection follows Sundar’s withdrawal due to a hamstring injury sustained during the recently concluded ODI series against England. With Sri Lankan conditions expected to favour spin and the hosts likely to field several left-handed batters, the selectors opted for a like-for-like replacement.
Born in Indore, Jain hails from a cricketing family. His father, Subodh Jain, represented Madhya Pradesh in nine Ranji Trophy matches as an off-spinner but never made it to the international stage. Saransh has now achieved what his father could not by earning a place in India’s Test squad.
Jain made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2014 but spent several years on the fringes before establishing himself under the guidance of veteran coach Chandrakant Pandit, who backed him as a genuine spin-bowling all-rounder.
His breakthrough came during Madhya Pradesh’s maiden Ranji Trophy triumph in 2022. Jain played a pivotal role in the title-winning campaign, claiming 13 wickets during the knockout stages and scoring a crucial first-innings half-century in the final against Mumbai at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. His partnership with Rajat Patidar helped lay the foundation for the historic victory before he chipped in with important wickets.
Since then, Jain has emerged as one of the country’s most consistent performers in first-class cricket. In 54 matches, he has scored 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75, including two centuries, while taking 188 wickets at an average of 27.30. He has also represented Madhya Pradesh in 67 List A and T20 matches.
His most recent domestic season further strengthened his credentials. Jain amassed 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and claimed 30 wickets in just seven Ranji Trophy matches. Earlier, he was named Player of the Series in the Duleep Trophy after scoring two half-centuries and taking 16 wickets in two matches for Central Zone.
The final boost to his national selection came during India A’s tour of Sri Lanka, where he produced an impressive all-round performance in the second unofficial Test at Galle. Jain remained unbeaten on 70 before claiming six wickets to help India A secure victory, showcasing his ability in conditions similar to those expected during the upcoming Test series.
Despite his domestic success, Jain has never been picked in the Indian Premier League. He entered the IPL auctions in 2024, 2025 and 2026 but remained unsold each time.
With Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav expected to be automatic selections if India field three spinners, Jain is likely to compete with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar for the final spin-bowling spot in the playing XI. His off-spin could work in his favour against a Sri Lankan batting line-up expected to feature several left-handed players.
If selected for the opening Test, Jain will become the first Indian cricketer to make his Test debut after the age of 33 since Robin Singh in 1998, capping a remarkable journey defined by sustained excellence in domestic cricket.
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